Reinsurance market responding to increased demand heading to mid-year renewals – Guy Carpenter

Guy Carpenter has reported that mid-year renewals indicate a reinsurance market in transition, responding to demand in a dynamic trading environment.

The reinsurance specialist noted that property programs without losses generally experienced a softening of pricing, despite an uptick in demand. Casualty programs, on the other hand, were also fulfilled with sufficient capacity, but pricing and underwriting scrutiny continued due to various market trends.

Dean Klisura (pictured above), president and CEO of Guy Carpenter, stated that well-positioned cedents achieved greater concurrency and pricing consideration in this positive but still cautious trading environment.

“However, headwinds, including unsettled macroeconomic conditions and the geopolitical environment, are leading to shifting risk appetites. Guy Carpenter provides perspective to our clients to help differentiate them and find the best solutions possible,” he said.

The preliminary mid-year Guy Carpenter US Property Catastrophe Rate on Line (ROL) Index, an alternative measure of price change that incorporates the impact of structural adjustments and current views of risk on actual dollars paid, is near flat year-on-year.

Guy Carpenter’s analysis indicates that the majority of property placements were completed early to on time, while risk programs remained under scrutiny amid continued concerns about the frequency and severity of large risk losses.

Global property catastrophe reinsurance risk-adjusted rates at mid-year were generally flat to down mid- to high-single digits. In some cases, upper layers were risk-adjusted down 10% or more for non-loss impacted accounts, in a moderating but still robust pricing environment.

Casualty renewal outcomes varied by sublines as well as reinsurance type. General liability and excess/umbrella placements that are US exposed experienced continued reinsurance pricing pressure for excess of loss programs, while quota share outcomes were tied to the amount of adverse development.

Financial lines and cat bonds – how are they faring?

For financial lines, downward pressure on ceding commissions continued and was driven by public directors and officers (D&O) portfolio concentration, underlying rate environment and continued prior year development.

The cyber reinsurance market remained active at mid-year renewals, with buyers finding improved terms across all structures. Mid-year cyber renewals saw ongoing interest in alternative structures including event-based covers, continuing a trend observed at Jan. 1.

Catastrophe bonds had a record first half of the year, with Q2 being the most active quarter recorded. By June 24, 47 different catastrophe bonds were brought to the 144A market for approximately $11.9 billion in limit placed, taking the total outstanding notional amount to more than $44.6 billion.

Through Q1, most retrocession buyers sought to secure similar limits to 2023, whereas mid-year purchasing saw increased demand in Q2 from existing buyers along with historical buyers returning to the market. The drivers of this increase were improved purchasing dynamics relative to 2023, underlying portfolio growth and active North Atlantic wind season forecasts.

David Priebe, chairman for Guy Carpenter, noted that the reinsurance industry has responded to measurably increased demand in 2024, which has materialized at a level above many expectations.

“Reinsurers’ attractive returns and improved capital positions are facilitating increased capacity in several sectors. Guy Carpenter is set to strategically help our clients in this new era of risk,” Priebe said.

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